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Intensive Archaeological Investigation of the Orchard Off-Site Water, Bexar County, Texas Principal Investigator: Virginia Moore, M.A. Prepared for: Cumberland 90, Ltd 1600 N. Collins Blvd., Ste. 1500 Richardson Texas 75080 TAC# 7917 Report Authors: Virginia A. Moore, M.A; Alamea N. Young, B.A. Pape-Dawson 2000 NW Loop 410 San Antonio, TX 78213 March 2017

Intensive Archaeological Investigation of the Orchard Off

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Page 1: Intensive Archaeological Investigation of the Orchard Off

Intensive Archaeological Investigation of the Orchard Off-Site Water,

Bexar County, Texas

Principal Investigator: Virginia Moore, M.A.

Prepared for:

Cumberland 90, Ltd 1600 N. Collins Blvd., Ste. 1500

Richardson Texas 75080

TAC# 7917

Report Authors: Virginia A. Moore, M.A; Alamea N. Young, B.A.

Pape-Dawson 2000 NW Loop 410

San Antonio, TX 78213

March 2017

Page 2: Intensive Archaeological Investigation of the Orchard Off

ii

Abstract

Pape-Dawson Engineers (Pape-Dawson) conducted an archaeological survey of the proposed Orchard Off-

Site Water project located west of the City of San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas. This project will entail

the installation of 1.33 miles (2.14 kilometer [km]) of new water line within a 50 foot (ft) (15.2 meter [m])-

wide easement that will largely be located parallel to the existing right-of-way (ROW) of US 90 and Farm-

to-Market (FM) 211/Texas Research Parkway. A 20 ft (6 m)-wide temporary construction easement will

parallel the water line easement along one side. While depth of impact for all improvements will vary,

average depth of vertical impact is considered to be 5 ft (1.5 m) below the current ground surface.

Although Cumberland 90, Ltd will construct the new utility line, San Antonio Water Systems (SAWS) will

be the grantee of the easement after construction. For this reason and because a portion of this project

falls within TxDOT-owned ROW, compliance with the Antiquities Code of Texas (ACT) is required. The

project was conducted under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 7917. No federal permitting or funding is

attached to the project, thus compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)

is not necessary. All work was done in accordance with the archaeological survey standards and guidelines

as developed by the Council of Texas Archeologists (CTA) and adopted by the Texas Historical Commission

(THC).

Pape-Dawson archaeologists Virginia Moore and Katie Hill conducted the field work on February 22 2017.

The entirety of the project area was subjected to visual inspection augmented by the excavation of 23

shovel tests in order to evaluate the impact of the proposed project on cultural resources. Overall, most

of the project area was found to have been severely impacted by previous utility installation. The nature

of the disturbances within the project area has reduced the potential for encountering any intact,

significant cultural resources. All shovel tests were negative, and no archaeological artifacts or sites were

located or recorded during the course of the survey. Project records and photographs will be curated at

the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at the University of Texas San Antonio. Based on the results

of the investigation, Pape-Dawson archaeologists recommend that no further archaeological work is

necessary for the proposed project and that the project be allowed to proceed.

Page 3: Intensive Archaeological Investigation of the Orchard Off

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Table of Contents

Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... ii

Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................................... iii

List of Figures ............................................................................................................................................... iv

Management Summary ................................................................................................................................ 5

Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 6

Project Setting ............................................................................................................................................... 9

Methods ...................................................................................................................................................... 11

Records Review ....................................................................................................................................... 11

Fieldwork ................................................................................................................................................. 11

Results ......................................................................................................................................................... 12

Records Review ....................................................................................................................................... 12

Fieldwork ................................................................................................................................................. 14

Summary and Recommendations ............................................................................................................... 23

References Cited ......................................................................................................................................... 25

Appendix A .................................................................................................................................................. 26

Shovel Test Table .................................................................................................................................... 26

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List of Figures

Figure 1: Project Area ................................................................................................................................... 7

Figure 2: Project Location ............................................................................................................................. 8

Figure 3: Soils .............................................................................................................................................. 10

Figure 4: Previously recorded archaeological sites within 1 km of the project area. ................................. 13

Figure 5: Pasture area with minimal ground surface visibility, some gravel visible on surface in right

foreground, looking north. ......................................................................................................................... 15

Figure 6: Southern portion of project area within the TxDOT-owned US 90 ROW, looking southeast. .... 15

Figure 7: From FM 211 showing general overview of northwestern stretch of the proposed waterline,

looking southwest. ...................................................................................................................................... 16

Figure 8: Northern portion, general overview on top of ridge, looking north. .......................................... 16

Figure 9: Disturbances Map. ....................................................................................................................... 17

Figure 10: Example of buried utilities observed within the project area, looking southeast. .................... 18

Figure 11: Utilities identified in the project area along the fence line, looking northwest. ....................... 18

Figure 12: Man-made slopes along US 90, looking west. ........................................................................... 19

Figure 13: Utility lines, concrete retaining wall, and ditch along US 90 within project area, looking

northeast. .................................................................................................................................................... 19

Figure 14: Two-track along northern portion of the project area, looking south. ..................................... 20

Figure 15: Results ........................................................................................................................................ 21

Figure 16: Shovel Test VM03 profile within existing SAWS easement. ...................................................... 22

Figure 17: Shovel Test VM01 located east of fence line on southern portion of the project area. ........... 22

Figure 18: Shovel test VM11 located on west side of FM 211 (northern portion) on the ridge. ............... 23

Page 5: Intensive Archaeological Investigation of the Orchard Off

Management Summary

Pape-Dawson Engineers (Pape-Dawson) conducted an archaeological survey of the proposed Orchard Off-

Site Water project located west of the City of San Antonio, in Bexar County, Texas. This project will entail

the installation of 1.33 miles (2.14 kilometer [km]) of new water line within a 50 foot (ft) (15.2 meter [m])-

wide easement that largely will be located parallel to the existing right-of-way (ROW) of US 90 and Farm-

to-Market (FM) 211/Texas Research Parkway. A 20 ft (6 m)-wide temporary construction easement will

parallel the water line easement along one side. Although Cumberland 90, Ltd will construct the new

utility line, San Antonio Water Systems (SAWS) will be the grantee of the easement after construction. For

this reason and because a portion of this project falls within TxDOT-owned ROW, compliance with the

Antiquities Code of Texas (ACT) is required. No federal permitting or funding is attached to this project,

thus compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act is also not required. Work was

done under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 7917.

Pape-Dawson archaeologist conducted fieldwork for the 8.1 acres (3.3 ha) project area on February 22,

2017. Virginia Moore served as the Principal Investigator, Katie Hill served as the Project Archaeologist. A

total of 23 shovel tests were excavated, all of which were negative, as such, no archaeological sites were

located or recorded during the course of the survey.

The principal investigator recommends that no further cultural resources work is necessary for the project

area and that construction be allowed to proceed within the project area. However, if undiscovered

cultural material is encountered during construction, it is recommended that all work in the vicinity should

cease and that the discovery be evaluated by a qualified archaeologist who can provide guidance on how

to proceed in accordance with state regulations.

Page 6: Intensive Archaeological Investigation of the Orchard Off

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Introduction

Pape-Dawson Engineers (Pape-Dawson) conducted an archaeological investigation of the proposed

Orchard Off-Site Water project located west of the City of San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas (Figure 1).

This project will entail the installation of 1.33 miles (2.14 kilometer [km]) of new water line within a 50

foot (ft) (15.2 meter [m])-wide easement. A 20 ft (6 m)-wide temporary construction easement will

parallel the water line easement along one side. For the purpose of this project, the archaeological project

area is defined as the footprint of the proposed water line and temporary construction easements, with

the area east of FM 211 identified as the southern portion and the area west of FM 211 as the northern

portion (Figure 2). Within the southern portion of the project area the proposed water line lies entirely

within either the existing 20 foot (6.1 m)-wide San Antonio Water Systems (SAWS) water line easement

or within TxDOT owned ROW. The project will begin on the north side of US 90 approximately 0.65 mile

(1.04 km) east of the intersection of FM 211 and US 90. The proposed water line will extend west then

north paralleling US 90 and its access road for approximately 0.96 mile (1.5 km). At this point the water

line will cross FM 211 to the west and will then extend north for approximately 0.3 mile (465 m). Within

the northern portion, there is an existing buried cable line within the proposed water line easement. The

maximum depth of vertical impact for construction 5 ft (1.5 m) below the current ground surface.

Although Cumberland 90, Ltd will construct the new utility line, SAWS will be the grantee of the easement

after construction. For this reason and because a portion of this project falls within TxDOT-owned ROW,

compliance with the Antiquities Code of Texas (ACT) is required. As no federal funding or permitting is

anticipated for this project, compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)

will not be necessary. Work was conducted under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 7917.

Pape-Dawson’s investigations included an extensive background records and literature review, followed

by an intensive pedestrian survey with shovel testing. Pape-Dawson archaeologists Virginia Moore and

Katie Hill conducted the field work on February 22, 2017. The goals of the investigation were to: (1) locate

all prehistoric and historic cultural resources, if present, within the project area; (2) establish vertical and

horizontal site boundaries, as appropriate with respect to the project area; (3) evaluate the significance

of recorded cultural resources with regard to State Antiquities Landmark (SAL) eligibility.

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4COORDINATE SYSTEM: NAD83 UTM ZONE 14N, METERBASEMAP: 7.5' USGS TOPOGRAPH, LA COSTE AND LA COSTE NE QUADRANGLEINSET BASEMAP: ESRI AND ITS DATA SUPPLIERS

Figure 1 : Project Location Map

Orchard Off-Site Water PN: 7138-16Bexar County, TexasCultural Resources ReportMarch 2017

2000 NW LOOP 410 SAN ANTONIO, TX 78213 210.375.9000TBPE FIRM REGISTRATION #470 TBPLS FIRM REGISTRATION #10028800

SAN ANTONIO AUSTIN HOUSTON FORT WORTH DALLAS

ProjectLocation

0 10 20 30 40Miles

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LegendProject Area

Northern Section

Southern Section

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4COORDINATE SYSTEM: NAD83 UTM ZONE 14N, METERBASEMAP: GOOGLE

Figure 2 : Project Area Map

Orchard Off-Site Water PN: 7138-16Bexar County, TexasCultural Resources ReportMarch 2017

2000 NW LOOP 410 SAN ANTONIO, TX 78213 210.375.9000TBPE FIRM REGISTRATION #470 TBPLS FIRM REGISTRATION #10028800

SAN ANTONIO AUSTIN HOUSTON FORT WORTH DALLAS

LegendProject Area

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4Miles

0 0.15 0.3 0.45 0.6Kilometers

£¤90Texas Research Parkway

UV211

Northern Portion

SouthernPortion

Page 9: Intensive Archaeological Investigation of the Orchard Off

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Project Setting

The project alignment appears on portions of the La Coste (3097-214) and La Coste NE (2998-234) U.S.

Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle, and is situated at the intersection of US 90

and FM 211 approximately 16.5 miles (27 km) west-southwest of downtown San Antonio A review of

historic and modern aerials ranging in date from 1955 to 2014 indicates that the project area and

surrounding area have been subjected to agricultural activity at least as early as 1955, and that the

construction of US 90 occurred sometime prior to 1955, while the construction of FM 211 appears to have

occurred sometime between 1955 and 1995 (Google Earth Map and National Environmental Title

Research [NETR] Online 2011).

Located on the margins of the Blackland Prairies and the Interior Coastal Plains regions of central Texas

(Wermund 1996), the project landscape is characterized by gently and moderately sloping upland terrain.

Lucas Creek flows easterly within 0.7 km (0.44 mile) of the northern terminus of the project area. The

project area is geologically mapped as late Cretaceous-age Navarro Group and Marlbrook Marl, which

consists of calcareous clay with silt and limestone (U.S. Geological Survey 2005). The soils that formed

within these pre-Holocene-age deposits within the project area include Houston black gravelly clay on 1

to 8 percent slopes, and Rock outcrop-Olmos complex on 5 to 25 percent slopes (Natural Resources

Conservation Service (NRCS) 2017) (Figure 3).

The Houston black soil series constitutes the largest portion of the project area and consists of very deep

clay formed from calcareous mudstone of Cretaceous age (NRCS 2017). These residual soils are commonly

found on the tops and slopes of upland landforms. A typical profile consists of very dark gray (10YR 3/1)

clay underlain by the following series of soil strata: dark gray (10YR 5/2) clay, brown (10YR 5/2) clay, and

gray (10YR 6/1) clay extending more than 8.5 ft (2.6 m) deep. The remaining soil unit, Rock outcrop-Olmos

complex, composes a small portion of the project area. Olmos soils formed in ancient deposits of loamy

alluvium and are commonly found undulating uplands. A typical profile consist of shallow deposits of dark

grayish brown (10YR 4/2) very gravelly loam over cemented caliche (NRCS 2017). As there are no recent

alluvial deposits mapped within the project area and the soils present are clayey upland deposits, it was

anticipated that archaeological deposits, if present, would be shallowly buried or on the ground surface

and visible to surface inspection

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4COORDINATE SYSTEM: NAD83 UTM ZONE 14N, METERBASEMAP: TNRIS

Figure 3 : Soils Mapped within the Project Area

Orchard Off-Site Water PN: 7138-16Bexar County, TexasCultural Resources ReportMarch 2017

2000 NW LOOP 410 SAN ANTONIO, TX 78213 210.375.9000TBPE FIRM REGISTRATION #470 TBPLS FIRM REGISTRATION #10028800

SAN ANTONIO AUSTIN HOUSTON FORT WORTH DALLAS

LegendProject AreaHuB Houston black gravelly clay, 1-3% slopesHuC Houston black gravelly clay, 3-5% slopesHuD Houston black gravelly clay, 5-8% slopesHgD Rock outcrop-Olmos complex, 5-25% slopesBpC Whitewright clay loam, 1-5% slopes

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4Miles

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Methods

RECORDS REVIEW Prior to fieldwork, Pape-Dawson archaeologists conducted a thorough background literature and records

search of the proposed project area. This research included reviewing the Texas Archeological Sites Atlas

(Atlas) online database for any previously recorded surveys and historic or prehistoric archaeological sites

located within a 0.62 mile (1 km) radius of the project area. The review also included information on the

following types of cultural resources: NRHP-listed properties and districts, SALs, Official Texas Historical

Markers (OTHM), Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks (RTHL), National Historic Trails, and cemeteries. In

addition, archaeologists consulted the City of San Antonio (COSA) Historic Landmark Sites and Historic

Geodatabases to locate any local historic landmarks and districts. The archaeologists also examined the

U.S. Department of Agriculture Soil Survey of Bexar County (Taylor et al. 1991), Natural Resources

Conservation Service Web Soil Survey, the Geologic Atlas of Texas-San Antonio Sheet (BEG 1983), and

historic maps and aerials that depict the project area (NETR Online 2016).

FIELDWORK Pape-Dawson archaeologists conducted an intensive archaeological survey of the proposed 8.1 acres (3.3

ha) project area. This investigation consisted of an intensive pedestrian survey along the 50 ft (15 m)-wide

easement with inspection of the ground surface, augmented by shovel testing in areas with the perceived

potential for buried cultural deposits and with less than 30 percent ground surface visibility. As soils in the

project area are clayey upland deposits, it was anticipated that archaeological deposits, if present, would

be shallowly buried or on the ground surface and visible to surface inspection. Survey methods followed

the Council of Texas Archeologists’ Archeological Survey Standards for Texas.

A total of 23 shovel tests were excavated to investigate the 1.33 mile (2.14 km) long project area,

exceeding the state’s minimum standard of 1 shovel test every 100 meters or 16 shovel tests per 1 linear

mile. Shovel tests were approximately 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter and were excavated to sterile

substrate, bedrock, or to a maximum of 39.4 inches (100 cm) below the ground surface when intact soils

were encountered. Soils were screened through ¼-inch (0.64 cm) hardware mesh unless they were

dominated by clay. Clay soils were finely divided and hand sorted. Shovel tests were visually described,

mapped using a handheld Trimble GPS unit, and backfilled upon completion. All project records and

photographs will be curated at the Center for Archaeological Research at the University of Texas at San

Antonio (CAR-UTSA) following their specific standards of preparation.

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Results

RECORDS REVIEW The results of the cultural resources background review revealed that the project area has not been

previously surveyed and there are no NRHP-listed properties or districts, SALs, OTHMs, RHTLs, NHTs,

cemeteries, or local historic landmarks within 1 km of the project area. However, one previously recorded

archaeological site (41BX1826) has been documented within the 0.62 miles (1 km) radius (Figure 4). Site

41BX1826 was documented by SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) in 2009 during the Ladera Tract

survey and is approximately 0.43 mile (700 m) northwest of the project area. The site is dissected by Lucas

Creek and consists of an early-twentieth century historic homestead and prehistoric lithic scatter. The

historic component consists of an artifact scatter associated with a circa 1940s house. The prehistoric

component consists of non-diagnostic lithic debitage and chipped stone tools. Artifacts were observed on

the ground surface and to a maximum depth of 19.7 inches (50 cm) below surface. Based on the lack of

temporally diagnostic tools and features and the sparse quantity of artifacts, SWCA recommended no

further work for the prehistoric component of site 41BX1826. SWCA recommended archival research to

determine NRHP eligibility and SAL designation for the historic component of the site.

In addition to the Atlas file review, Pape-Dawson archaeologists engaged in a limited amount of additional

research including review of modern and historic aerial photographs and topographic maps (“Bexar

County, Texas” and NETR Online 2011). Project archeologists used this information to identify potential

historic high probability areas (HHPAs) within the project area. As this research did not locate any historic

structures within or directly adjacent to the project area, no HHPAs were identified.

Page 13: Intensive Archaeological Investigation of the Orchard Off

This page has been redacted as

it contains restricted

information

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FIELDWORK Pape-Dawson archaeologists conducted an intensive archaeological survey of the 1.33 mile (2.14 km) long

project area (see Figure 2). The project begins on the north side of US 90 approximately 0.65 mile (1.04

km) east of the intersection of FM 211 and US 90. Then it proceeds west paralleling US 90 and its access

road along the northeast side for approximately 0.96 mile (1.5 km). At this point the proposed water line

crosses FM 211 to the west and then turns north to parallel the roadway for approximately 0.3 mile (465

m). The project landscape was found to consist of gently to moderately sloping uplands located south of

the Lucas Creek floodplain. The portion of the project area east of FM 211 (the southern portion) crosses

through fenced, rolling pasture and TxDOT-owned ROW (Figure 5 and 6). West of FM 211 (the northern

portion), the project area was situated primarily on a rise with the proposed line within private property

then crossing the fence line into the TxDOT ROW (Figures 7 and 8). In both areas, medium to small gravels

and pebbles were visible on the surface. Vegetation within the project area primarily consisted of short

to medium tall grass, cactus, mesquite, huisache, persimmon, and a few willow trees. Ground surface

visibility throughout the project area varied, but was generally less than 30 percent due to the grasses.

Disturbances within the project area resulted from both natural and artificial impacts. Artificial impacts

included the installation of an overhead power-line, multiple buried utility lines within an existing SAWS

easement, the excavation of a road cut for FM 211, construction of a few concrete retaining walls along

US 90, and the excavation of drainage ditches along both roads (Figure 9). The buried utility lines

documented within the project area east of FM 211 include pipeline (type not identified), water, and a

buried cable line all within a 20 ft (6 m) easement (Figure 10, and 11). Between the fence line and the

roadways, the topography generally consisted of a steep man-made slope down to a drainage ditch

(Figure 12) as well as a small swale leading to a culvert under the highway along US 90. In addition,

multiple large concrete retaining walls were situated along US 90 and the FM 211 access road (Figure 13).

Along the northwestern portion of the project area there is a two-track running along the easement east

of the fence line, and a buried cable running along the fence line (Figure 14). Natural impacts include

erosion, bioturbation caused primarily by rodent and insect burrowing, and numerous game and cattle

trails crisscrossing the southern portion of the project area.

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Figure 5: Pasture area with minimal ground surface visibility, some gravel visible on surface in right foreground,

looking north.

Figure 6: Southern portion of project area within the TxDOT-owned US 90 ROW, looking southeast.

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Figure 7: From FM 211 showing general overview of northwestern stretch of the proposed waterline, looking southwest.

Figure 8: Northern portion, general overview on top of ridge, looking north.

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Figure 9 : Disturbances

Orchard Off-Site Water PN: 7138-16Bexar County, TexasCultural Resources ReportApril 2017

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2000 NW LOOP 410 SAN ANTONIO, TX 78213 210.375.9000TBPE FIRM REGISTRATION #470 TBPLS FIRM REGISTRATION #10028800

SAN ANTONIO AUSTIN HOUSTON FORT WORTH DALLAS

LegendXY Access Hatch$1 Buried Cable Marker!> Hydrant!

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!A Pipeline MarkerExisting Water LineExisting Overhead UtilityProject Area

$

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£¤211

0 0.1 0.2 0.3Kilometers

0 0.1 0.2 0.3Miles

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Figure 10: Example of buried utilities observed within the project area, looking southeast.

Figure 11: Utilities identified in the project area along the fence line, looking northwest.

Pipeline

Marker

Buried Cable

Manhole

Access Hatch

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19

Figure 12: Man-made slopes along US 90, looking west.

Figure 13: Utility lines, concrete retaining wall, and ditch along US 90 within project area, looking northeast.

Concrete Retaining

Wall

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Figure 14: Two-track along northern portion of the project area, looking south.

Archaeologists walked the entire project area visually inspecting the ground surface for artifacts and

features. During the survey effort, a total of 23 shovel tests were excavated (Figure 15 and Appendix A).

Shovel tests were placed in areas with the perceived potential to contain intact soils to evaluate the

impact of the proposed project on cultural resources. A total of 17 shovel tests were excavated east of

FM 211 and north of US 90 within the southern portion of the project area. The majority of which

contained disturbed soils resulting from the previous installation of buried utility lines and construction

of US 90 and FM 211 within project area. Soils varied greatly, but generally were highly mottled clay and

sand with numerous cobbles and pebbles (Figure 16). The upper soils were black to very dark grayish

brown (10YR2/1 to 10YR3/2) clay with dark yellowish brown to very pale brown (10YR4/2 to 10YR7/4)

mottles between 0 and 12 inches (0 to 30 cm) below surface. Followed by very dark brown (10YR2/2) clay

mottled with black to very pale brown mottles (10YR2/1 to 10YR7/4) (Figure 17) with cobbles and pebbles.

Two Shovel tests (KH01 and VM01) were excavated down to between 31.5 and 39.4 inches (80 and 100

cm) below surface to investigate the extent of the disturbance observed. The remaining shovel tests were

terminated between 11.8 and 19.7 inches (30 and 50 cm) below surface due to the disturbed nature of

the soils encountered. No cultural materials were encountered within the southern portion of the project

area.

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4Figure 15 : Results Map

Orchard Off-Site Water PN: 7138-16Bexar County, TexasCultural Resources ReportMarch 2017

VM9

KH9VM8KH8VM7KH7VM6KH6VM5KH5

VM4

KH4

VM3

KH3

VM2

KH2

VM1

KH1VM11

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VM10

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KH10 Lucas Creek

£¤211

£¤90

2000 NW LOOP 410 SAN ANTONIO, TX 78213 210.375.9000TBPE FIRM REGISTRATION #470 TBPLS FIRM REGISTRATION #10028800

SAN ANTONIO AUSTIN HOUSTON FORT WORTH DALLAS0 0.1 0.2 0.3Miles

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5Kilometers

LegendNegative Shovel Test Project Area

COORDINATE SYSTEM: NAD83 UTM ZONE 14N, METERBASEMAP: GOOGLE

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Figure 16: Shovel Test VM03 profile within existing SAWS easement.

Figure 17: Shovel Test VM01 located east of fence line on southern portion of the project area.

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Six shovel tests were excavated on the west side (northern portion) of FM 211, each of which encountered

mostly intact soils within the proposed easement. Of these, one was excavated at the northern terminus

of the project area at the bottom of a slope within a low wet area, while the five remaining shovel tests

were excavated on the ridge above. The shovel test at the bottom of the slope encountered mottled dark

grayish brown (10YR4/2) wet clay down to 8 inches (20 cm) below the surface followed by very dark gray

(10YR3/1) wet clay to a depth of 19.7 inches (50 cm) below surface. In general, soils on the ridge consisted

of dark grayish brown (10YR4/2) compact gravelly loam between 6 and 12 inches (15 and 30 cm) below

surface, followed by dark brown to very dark grayish brown (10YR3/3 to 10YR3/2) gravelly clay loam.

Shovel tests within this section of the project area had a max depth of 20 inches (50 cm) below surface

when gravels became impassable (Figure 18). No historic or prehistoric artifacts were documented within

the northern portion of the project area.

Figure 18: Shovel test VM11 located on west side of FM 211 (northern portion) on the ridge.

Summary and Recommendations

Pape-Dawson archaeologists conducted an archaeological investigation of the proposed Orchard Off-Site

Water project located west of the City of San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas. This project will entail the

installation of 1.33 miles (2.14 km) of new water line within a 50 ft (15.2 m) wide easement that largely

will be located parallel to the existing ROW of US 90 and FM 211/Texas Research Parkway. While depth

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24

of impact for all improvements will vary, average depth of vertical impact is considered to be 5 ft (1.5 m)

below the current ground surface.

The intensive pedestrian survey was conducted under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 7917 by Pape-Dawson

archeologists on February 22, 2017. The project area was subject to visual inspection supplemented by

judgmentally placed shovel tests in order to evaluate the impact of the proposed project on archeological

resources. A total of 23 shovel tests were excavated to investigate the 8.1 acres (3.3 ha) project area in

areas of least disturbance. Major disturbances recorded include the installation of multiple utilities, and

road construction within the proposed easement. All shovel tests were negative for archeological

material. No artifacts were collected, and all project records and photographs will be curated at CAR.

Based on the results of the survey, Pape-Dawson recommends that no further archaeological work is

necessary and that the project be allowed to proceed. However, if cultural material is encountered during

construction, it is recommended that all work in the vicinity should cease and that the discovery be

evaluated by a qualified archaeologist who can provide guidance on how to proceed in accordance with

state regulations.

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25

References Cited

Bureau of Economic Geology 1983 Geologic Atlas of Texas, San Antonio Sheet.

Google Earth Map. “Bexar County” Map. Imagery Dates: January 1, 1995 to January 19, 2015. Web. (Accessed January 30, 2017).

NETR Online

2011 Aerial Imagery of Bexar County, Texas 2004. http://www.historicaerials.com/ (Accessed January 30, 2017).

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

2017 Web Soil Survey. United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. Available online at http://websoilsurvey. Nrcs.usda.gov/, accessed January 30, 2017.

Texas Archeological Sites Atlas (Atlas)

2017 Archeological Sites Atlas. http://nueces.thc.state.tx.us/, accessed January 30, 2017.

United States Geological Survey

2005 Texas Geologic Map Data. USGS Mineral Resources On-Line Spatial Data Web (Accessed

January 30, 2017).

Wermund, E.G. 1996 Physiographic Map of Texas. Bureau of Economic Geology. The University of Texas at

Austin.

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Appendix A

SHOVEL TEST TABLE

Page 27: Intensive Archaeological Investigation of the Orchard Off

Table A-1. Shovel Test Data

ST # LevelDepth

(cmbs)

Positive/

NegativeMunsell Soil Color Soil Texture Comments/Reason for Termination

KH01 1 0-100 N

10YR3/1 mottled

with 10YR3/2 and

10YR4/4

Black mottled with Very Dark

Grayish Brown and dark

Yellowish Brown

Loose ClayFew small to medium cobbles

throughout. Terminated at depth.

1-3 0-25 N 10YR2/1 Black Clay Compact

3-5 25-50 N10YR3/2 mottled with

10YR4/2

Very Dark Grayish Brown

mottled with Dark Yellowish

Brown

Clay

Common small to large cobbles

throughout. Terminated due to sterile

soil.

1 0-10 N 10YR2/1 Black Clay

2-5 10-50 N10YR3/2 mottled with

10YR4/6

Very Dark Grayish Brown

mottled with Dark Yellowish

Brown

ClayCompact clay with some pebbles and

cobbles. Terminated due to sterile soil.

KH04 1-3 0-30 N10YR3/2 mottled with

10YR7/4 and 10YR7/8

Very Dark Grayish Brown

mottled with Very Pale

Brown and Yellow

Clay and SandMany medium and large cobbles.

Terminated due to distrubed soils.

KH05 1-4 0-40 N

10YR2/1 mottled with

10YR4/2, 10YR4/6 and

5YR3/3

Black mottled with Dark

Grayish Brown, Dark

Yellowish Brown, and Dark

Reddish Brown

Clay and SandMany medium and large cobbles.

Terminated due to distrubed soils.

1-3 0-30 N10YR2/2 mottled with

10YR3/2 and 10YR4/2

Very Dark Brown mottled

with Very Dark Grayish

Brown and Dark Grayish

Brown

Clay Compact clay with many large

cobbles.

4-5 30-50 N 10YR2/1 Black ClayMany large cobbles throughout.

Terminated due to sterile soil.

KH07 1-2 0-15 N 10YR4/6 Dark Yellowish Brown Clay Terminated due to disturbed soils.

KH08 1-3 0-30 N

10YR2/2 mottled with

10YR2/1, 10YR3/2 and

10YR4/6

Very Dark Brown mottled

with Black, Very Dark Grayish

Brown and Dark Yellowish

Brown

Clay Terminated due to disturbed soils.

KH09 1-3 0-30 N 10YR2/1 Black ClayCommon medium cobbles in compact

clay. Terminated due to sterile soils.

KH02

KH06

KH03

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Table A-1. Shovel Test Data

ST # LevelDepth

(cmbs)

Positive/

NegativeMunsell Soil Color Soil Texture Comments/Reason for Termination

1-2 0-20 N10YR4/2 mottled with

10YR4/6 and 10YR3/1

Dark Grayish Brown mottled

with Dark Yellowish Brown

and Very Dark Gray

Clay Compact clay with few medium

cobbles.

3-5 20-50 N 10YR3/1 Very Dark Gray ClayFew medium cobbles throughout.

Terminated due to sterile soils.

1-2 0-15 N 10YR3/2 Very Dark Grayish Brown Gravely ClayCompact clay, Common cobbles

thoughout

2-4 15-40 N 10YR4/1 Dark Gray ClayCompact clay, Few cobbles thoughout.

Termianted due to sterile soils.

1-3 0-30 N 10YR4/2 Dark Grayish Brown Clay Compact clay

4-5 30-50 N 10YR3/2 Very Dark Grayish Brown ClayCompact Clay. Terminated due to

sterile soils.

1-3 0-26 N 10YR2/1 Black Clay

Friable, Common limestone cobbles

and pebbles, worm casts, roots and

rootlets.

3-7 26-68 N10YR2/2 mottled with

10YR5/3

Very Dark Brown mottled

with BrownClay

Few limestone and chert cobbles and

pebbles

7-8 68-78 N10YR3/2 mottled with

10YR7/4 and 10YR7/8

Very Dark Grayish Brown

mottled with Very Pale

Brown and Yellow

Silty Clay

Compact soils, heavily mottled with

common pebbles throughout.

Treminated at depth.

1-3 0-25 N 10YR2/1 Black Clay few cobbles throughout

3-5 25-50 N 10YR2/2 Very Dark Brown ClayCrumbly clay with few cobbles.

Terminated due to sterile soils

VM03 1-3 0-30 N10YR3/2 mottled with

10YR7/4 and 10YR7/8

Very Dark Grayish Brown

mottled with Very Pale

Brown and Yellow

Clay and Sand

Many cobbles and pebbles, large

roots, common rootlets. Terminated

due to distrubed soils.

1-2 0-12 N10YR3/2 mottled with

10YR2/1

Very Dark Grayish Brown

mottled with BlackSilty Clay Few to common pebbles and rootlets

2-5 12-47 N 10YR2/1 Black Clay Some pebbles. Termianted due to

sterile soils

KH10

KH12

KH11

VM01

VM02

VM04

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Table A-1. Shovel Test Data

ST # LevelDepth

(cmbs)

Positive/

NegativeMunsell Soil Color Soil Texture Comments/Reason for Termination

VM05 1-3 0-30 N10YR3/2 mottled with

10YR2/1, 10YR6/4

Very Dark Grayish Brown

mottled with Black and Light

Yellowish Brown

ClayMany cobbles and pebbles.

Terminated due to distrubed soils.

VM06 1-3 0-30 N10YR6/4 mottled with

10YR7/6

Light Yellowish Brown

mottled with YellowSandy Clay Terminated due to distrubed soils.

VM07 1-3 0-30 N10YR3/2 mottled with

10YR5/3

Very Dark Grayish Brown

mottled with BrownClay Terminated due to distrubed soils.

VM08 1-2 0-15 N10YR3/2 mottled with

10YR5/3

Very Dark Grayish Brown

mottled with BrownSandy Clay

Common pebbles and cobbles.

Termianted due to disturbed soils.

VM09 1-3 0-30 N10YR3/2 mottled with

10YR7/2

Very Dark Grayish Brown

mottled with Light GraySandy Clay

Compact soils, Many cobbles and

pebbles. Termianted due to sterile

soils.

VM10 1-3 0-30 N10YR3/2 mottled with

10YR7/2

Very Dark Grayish Brown

mottled with Light GraySandy Clay

Compact soils, Many cobbles and

pebbles. Termianted due to sterile

soils.

1-4 0-38 N 10YR2/2 Very Dark Brown Clay Loam Few round limestone pebbles

4-5 38-50 N 10YR3/3 Dark Brown Clay Loam

Dense gravels/degrading limestone.

Terminated due to dense

cobbles/bedrock.

VM11